novelraw Chapter 163: Dinner Plans
Chapter 163: Dinner Plans
Leon quickly changed the subject. “Just kidding. By the way, Abigail’s medical report should be fine, right? That’s something you can tell me?”
“That I can share—Abigail is in perfect health,” Maru said smoothly, helping Leon steer the conversation away. She’d noticed Abigail was about to blow up.
“That’s good, that’s good.” Leon nodded repeatedly, then congratulated Abigail. “Good health is the greatest blessing.”
“Hmph.” Abigail snorted but didn’t seem as angry anymore. Still, she clearly wasn’t in the mood to talk to Leon. After paying Harvey for her checkup, she left the clinic without even saying goodbye.
Once she was gone, Leon let out a relieved breath, his expression lightening.
“Leon, you and Abigail must be pretty close if you can joke around like that. If you hadn’t explained, I might have believed it,” Maru teased with a grin.
“Yeah, Abigail has a great personality—straightforward and easygoing. I often end up treating her like a buddy without even thinking about it,” Leon said with a sigh.
“But she’s still a girl. Some jokes should be kept in check,” Maru reminded him gently.
“Got it,” Leon replied, nodding. Then he looked at her again. “But the real reason I came today was to see you, Maru. Remember the other day when you visited my farm, and we talked about the water pump?”
“I remember. Are you really planning to commission me to build one?” Maru’s eyes lit up. “I’ve already drawn up the blueprints. I just need a few materials before I can start.”“Tell me what you need, and I’ll handle it,” Leon said, patting his chest.
“No need to make it a hassle—I have most of the materials in stock,” Maru explained. “And last time at the farm, you saved me. I haven’t even thanked you yet. So, how about I make the pump as my way of saying thanks?”
“You can’t put it like that. It was my farm that had the monster problem. Of course I couldn’t just stand by. Besides, I was the one who invited you to see the meteor. The fact that you don’t blame me for putting you in danger already says a lot about your generosity—how could I possibly accept your thanks?” Leon said helplessly.
“That was my fault too—I was the one who let that big guy loose.” Maru’s expression grew serious. “It was my mistake, so I share a lot of the responsibility.”
“All right, let’s call it even. We both messed up, so there’s no point in blaming anyone. Let’s get back to talking about the pump.”
Leon quickly stopped Maru from taking all the blame. If they kept going down that road, they might spend half the day arguing about whose fault it was—what a waste of time.
“Okay. The pump’s principle is pretty simple—it works on centrifugal force, with the impeller drawing liquid in from the center and the pressure pushing it out through the outlet pipe,” Maru began. “I’ve built similar devices before, so it’s not too difficult. But to make it last longer, run more stably, and be easier for you to use, I’ll need to fine-tune the details—adjust the water output and power. That means you’ll have to wait a bit longer.”
When she started talking science, Maru was focused and professional, considering everything from a maker’s perspective. It moved Leon that she was thinking entirely about what would be best for him.
“Time’s not an issue,” Leon said with a wave. “The real question is, what materials are you missing?”
“I’ve got everything except for one high-purity iron ingot for the casing, and three copper ingots for the impeller blades,” Maru said after a moment’s thought.
“That’s nothing.” If she’d needed a lot of iron ingots, it might have taken Leon some time. But one? Easy. As for copper ingots, he had plenty—after all, those trips to the mines weren’t for nothing.
He could just stop by Clint’s Blacksmith Shop later to get the iron ingot. If buying it cost more than five pieces of iron ore, he’d just buy the ore and smelt it himself. Mining it himself would take much longer, since iron ore was mostly found in the deeper parts of the mines, and he didn’t want Maru to wait.
Getting that pump sooner would make semi-automatic watering possible, which meant he could expand his farm faster. The sooner, the better.
“If you can bring me the iron and copper ingots, that’ll make things much easier. I’ll still need four or five days to finish it, though, since I’ll need time for adjustments and testing,” Maru explained.
“How much for labor?” Leon asked. “Even if you say it’s thanks, I should at least pay you something.”
“I can’t take your money,” Maru said firmly.
“You already called it a commission. A commission has to come with payment,” Leon said.
“Nope. If you insist, I won’t build the pump,” Maru said, half exasperated, half threatening.
“All right, then how about I take you out for a meal instead? Just a way to thank a friend,” Leon suggested quickly.
“Friend, huh? Sure. I can accept that kind of thank-you. But you said it—we’re friends. So don’t you dare try to sneak me any money later, or I’ll be mad,” Maru said cheerfully.
“Yes, yes. Anything else you need from me, just say the word, and I’ll do my best to help,” Leon promised.
“Nope. It’s not complicated—I can handle it alone. Just bring me the ingots, and after a while, you’ll see your pump. I guarantee it’ll work just as well as watering by hand,” Maru said confidently.
“Then I’ll wait for your good news,” Leon said with a smile.
“No problem,” Maru replied with a smile of her own.
“By the way, what time do you finish here?” Leon asked, remembering his earlier offer.
“Around five. Why?” Maru asked curiously.
“I was thinking we could have that meal today, and I’d walk you home afterward,” Leon explained.
“Huh?” Maru’s cheeks flushed. “Walk me home? Isn’t that a bit sudden?”
“I have to bring you the ingots, remember? You can’t exactly carry four metal ingots all the way back yourself,” Leon added.
“Oh, right! Hahaha, makes sense. Okay, I’ll wait for you outside the clinic after work,” Maru said, realizing her misunderstanding and laughing to cover her embarrassment.
“Deal. I’ll go get the ingots now, then come find you before you finish. See you this evening,” Leon said, nodding goodbye before leaving the clinic.